Establishing communication between well pairs in oil sands by dilation with steam or water circulation at elevated pressures
US8905132B2 · kind B2 · utility
Assignee
Inventors
Key dates
| Filing date | Nov 3, 2011 |
| Grant date | Dec 9, 2014 |
| Priority date | — |
| Expiry date | Oct 17, 2032 |
Classification
- Technology area (CPC E)Fixed Constructions
- CPC primaryE21B43/305
- WIPO fieldCivil engineering
- WIPO sectorOther fields
Abstract
A method of establishing fluid communication between a well pair in an oil-sand reservoir, where dilatable oil sands in the reservoir form a barrier to fluid communication between the well pair. Steam or water is circulated within at least one well to a region of the oil sands adjacent to the well. The steam or water pressure is increased to a dilation pressure sufficient to dilate the oil sands in the region. While circulating steam or water within the well at a substantially steady state, the steam or water pressure is maintained at a level sufficient to enlarge the dilated region, until detection of a signal indicative of fluid communication between the well pair. The rates and pressures of steam or water injection and production may be monitored and adjusted to vary a bottom-hole pressure in the well.
Source: USPTO / EPO open patent data. Objective bibliographic and citation counts.